Really? You keep surprising me with what what I think you will/won't like. Just to be sure, here's a few quick comparisons (along with the progress on the hat). Hm, you may be right. It does kind of seem like it's a little too "stepped" on the new version. Also, I have some ideas for the hat, but I haven't decided what to do with the pom. Looks boring as just a sphere but I'm not sure what to do with it that'll look Transformery while still evoking the beanie look.
Dude, you rock! <3 Just to be clear, I love this and really appreciate the work you are doing. Like I said, I haven't even noticed some of the changes until you point them out. So I'm good with whatever you decide. And I'm super grateful you are putting all this work into it. Regarding the specific change of the stepped hair, I think what I like about the un-stepped version is that it looks more like a robot's helmet. The stepped version adds some naturalism, but he's never going to look like a "person". So having some robotic elements that evoke the style is fine. Having the hair-style replicated exactly is not necessary. I hope that makes sense.
Good News / Bad News I did some tests and was actually able to transform the figure with the windshield held on with just putty. This means I can potentially keep the windshield on with out doing some complicated hinge work. However, the more I messed with it, the more I realized that the putty allowed for some slight shifting. So I studied it all again, and decided to shave the edges a bit. And the windshield frame snapped. And I don't have a second Windshield Frame because of the way I re-cut the sides on the new model kit. And also because I'm a dummy. It's all still salvageable, but now it looks wonky and I'm still not 100% sure it will work.
Don't wanna steal too much of Hunterrose's thunder but I wanted to show the progress on the head. Unfortunately, this print isn't usable - the pom on the hat scrapes on the way into the chest cavity - so I'll be doing some tweaking and then get another print going.
I could but I need to shave off at least 1.5mm and the pom is only about 3.8mm to begin with. Better to move it back and down. Here's a couple pics of the new placement.
Sorry for the delay in updates. I'm back in the office this week, so WFH crafting has been slowed. But also, I'm having serious issues with the roof/windshield. And I'm not sure if I should be doing any final touches until I solve them. I stole a hinge from a Cybertron-DLX-Tank-Unicron figure that might work as a way to pivot the windshield out of the way. But I need to figure a way to cover the Windshield with either a label or tinting. Also full disclosure here, I'm a complete dunce and have ruined both of the windshield frames. So, EFF it, I just bought ANOTHER Model kit. Part of the problem is the clearance issues that I've mentioned before, but the other part is that there's actually a support bar behind the windshield and another one down the front. I cut these off thinking they were parts of the sprue. Then I screwed up the second one because I was specifically cutting to ensure the sides were clean. And long story short, I'm a dunce and this thing has cost me way too much money and time to make it look shitty in the final lap.
The other thing I'm working on is trying to get a Guitar Accessory. I keep thinking I'll just use a TFA LAserbeak, but can't seem to find one. I may just have to buy a TFA Soundwave and then I'll have fodder for another custom (that mold always screamed BRAWN to me anyway). But here's the other hitch here. I was intending to use magnets to clip things together. I am currently using Magnets to hold the Parachute and the Engine in place. But I'm also learning that you can't really have two magnets doing separate or the same things. Because they fight with each other. And I've had all sorts of issues with the engine not staying where it should because once I get one set of magnets to work, they conflict with the second set. I dunno, I'm being a whiner, but this thing is really pushing me to the limits of my abilities.
i don't know, but to repair some of my sentai figures that combined and broke i used velcro. You could use that
The Velcro sounds like a good solution. Did you already cut holes in anything to place the magnets? You might be able to use some of these
Challenge is a good thing! And this thing is awesome. So your doing great! Pm me for the animated lazerbeak. Also i have a vast parts bin, if any other joints come to mind.
